Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Concubine Chun

A few days later, Princess Channing ran into Gu Jichang again.

Feeling it was inappropriate to eavesdrop on her brother’s discussions with the ministers about state matters, she leaned over to Shen Qingqing and suggested. “Sister-in-law, how about we take a stroll over there?”

Shen Qingqing shot a glance at Gu Jichang and replied with a smile, “There’s no rush; they’ll wrap up soon.”

Princess Channing wasn’t naive; after years in the palace, she could easily read the expression in Shen Qingqing’s eyes.

She turned her gaze to Gu Jichang.

As if he noticed her gaze, Gu Jichang also looked at Princess Channing. Their eyes locked for a moment, and when he caught sight of her stunning eyes, his heart raced. He quickly looked down. His cheeks flushed red like a girl who just spotted her crush.

Princess Channing was momentarily taken aback before turning to her brother.

Li Zhi could tell she had figured things out, so he addressed Gu Jichang, whose face was flushed. “Alright, you can head out now.”

Gu Jichang was taken aback. Was he really being dismissed just like that? He hadn’t even had a chance to speak with Princess Channing yet. Did the emperor intend to pair him with her? Despite his inner complaints, he knew he had to follow the emperor’s command. With a respectful bow, he cast a lingering glance at the hem of Princess Channing’s dress before exiting.

Once Gu Jichang was gone, Shen Qingqing quickly made her exit as well.
Princess Channing was aware that Shen Qingqing left to give the brother and sister some privacy to talk.

“What are you planning, brother?” Princess Channing asked, frowning after everyone had left.

Li Zhi looked at her with a sympathetic gaze and said, “You’re only twenty-five. Do you really want to spend your life alone?”

Princess Channing smiled and replied calmly, “Why would I be alone? I still have Wanwan and Xiaoxiao.”

Li Zhi sighed before replying, “They will eventually grow up and get married.”
Princess Channing kept her smile and said, “Well, I guess I’ll head to the palace to meet up with my brother and his wife after my daughters get married.”

Of course, she was just joking.

Li Zhi didn’t reply to her words. Instead, he looked in the direction where Gu Jichang had just left and quietly asked, “What are your thoughts on Gu Jichang?”

Princess Channing replied bluntly, “He’s your subject, not mine. I don’t know him, and I have no interest in getting to know him.”

Li Zhi nodded and added, “When we encountered the late emperor on the lake in Yangzhou years ago, Gu Jichang was one of the guards on that boat. Just a few days ago, he told me he’s only had eyes for you for the last decade. As for Gu Jichang, I met him when I was a minister, and he really hasn’t had any women around him.”

Princess Channing had suspected that Gu Jichang had feelings for her, but she never imagined he had been harbouring those feelings for ten years.

At that time, she had given birth to two daughters for Emperor Qingde. She had transformed from a young girl into a mother of two, a widow mourning her husband, and a woman who could never remarry.

As she touched her face, Princess Channing let out a sarcastic smile. “What could he possibly see in me? It’s just this face, nothing more.”

Li Zhi remarked, “He’s fond of your face, and there might be other things he likes too. But considering his feelings for you have stayed the same for a decade, I think my sister should give him a chance to get to know her better, perhaps…”

Princess Channing shook her head with a smile and replied, “I’m not interested in trying, and I have no desire to remarry. Brother, please tell him to find another good woman.” With that, she stood up and walked away, as if she were just enjoying a stroll in the garden.

Li Zhi watched his sister’s slender figure retreat with a troubled expression.

He wasn’t sure if she would ever consider Gu Jichang, but he understood that she had many worries. She feared that remarrying might tarnish how history would view her siblings, especially her brother, the emperor. She was also concerned about how her two daughters would cope with it and how it might affect their reputations.

These were burdens that most people couldn’t even begin to fathom.

Li Zhi wished his sister didn’t have to carry such a heavy load, but he couldn’t push her into marrying someone she didn’t care for.

When he saw Gu Jichang again, he simply said, “You’re not getting any younger; it’s time for you to settle down.”

Gu Jichang felt a wave of disappointment wash over him.

“Your Majesty…”

Li Zhi waved his hand, signalling that there was no need for further discussion.

With a bitter smile, Gu Jichang bowed his head and left.

Once back at the Marquis’ Mansion, he drowned his sorrows in a lot of wine.

Old Madam Gu heard the news and came to check on her son. Being blind, she asked the maids to help her sit beside him and then sent them away.
Gu Jichang was sprawled on the table, clutching a wine jug. Spotting his blind mother, he hid his face behind the jug and slurred, “What are you doing here? Just go back to sleep.”

Mrs Gu, though blind, had a keen sense of her son’s heart. With his thirtieth birthday approaching, he still hadn’t tied the knot. She was aware that he had feelings for someone, even if he claimed she was already married. When that woman became a widow, her son was overjoyed, rushing to share the news that she finally had a chance to have tea with her future daughter-in-law.
Old Madam Gu had been eagerly anticipating that tea time with her daughter-in-law. Initially, she was frustrated by her son’s fixation on a married woman, but over the past decade, she had come to see her eldest son as a hopeless romantic.

“Is it because she doesn’t want to marry you?” Old Madam Gu asked, hitting the nail on the head.

Gu Jichang remained silent, resting his face on his arm. A damp spot marked his cuff, leaving it unclear whether it was from the wine or something else.

Sometimes, Gu Jichang felt like a failure, questioning why he was so fixated on someone. Yet, he couldn’t shake the memory of that glance from ten years ago.

In the gentle rain, she had appeared like a goddess, capturing his heart.

After a moment of silence, Old Lady Gu began to speak to herself, “My son has a thriving career and a title. Sure, he has a scar on his face, but he’s still handsome. He’s young, strong, and charming, yet he’s pining for her. Usually, as long as you don’t upset her, she’d be willing to marry you.”

Gu Jichang opened his eyes.

Old Lady Gu continued, “If you haven’t upset her, then the issue must lie with her. Is it that her husband’s family or her parents are against her remarrying? Or could it be that she can’t bear to leave her kids behind?”

Gu Jichang felt a stir in his heart.

She had two daughters, both children of the late emperor, and their biological father had passed away…

Wait, he did provoke Emperor Qingde once, but Emperor Qingde was angered to death after listening to Eunuch Shi’s words, so he and she and her daughters had no paternal hatred.

Still, he was part of the group that overthrew Emperor Qingde. The two little princesses might still harbour resentment towards him. Even if they didn’t, he would likely worry that they would. And regardless, the little princesses were too young; she would never want to leave them behind. If she didn’t want to abandon them, she’d have to take them along when she remarried. But they were Emperor Qingde’s daughters. Even if he dared to step into the role of their father, what would the officials and the public think? Would they accuse her of forcing her daughters to accept a ‘thief’ as their father?

Suddenly, Gu Jichang felt a weight lift from his heart; his beloved was in a far worse predicament than he was. She was trapped, living in a cage, unable to see the light of day.

“Mom, I want to keep waiting for her.”

“Alright, it’s your choice.”

******

Six years later, Princess Channing’s eldest daughter, Princess Wanwan, got married. Her uncle, the emperor, served as the matchmaker.

Four years after that, Princess Channing’s second daughter, Princess Xiaoxiao, reached marriageable age.

However, Princess Xiaoxiao had fallen for a charming yet deceitful prince.

Before Li Zhi received the news and dispatched people to look into the prince’s background, Princess Channing unexpectedly got a letter. This letter not only detailed the names of the singers the prince had been within various brothels but also included the addresses of the homes where his two concubines resided.

The envelope had a small green paper umbrella design.

Suddenly, a face marked by scars flashed in Princess Channing’s mind.

Over the past decade, she had encountered Gu Jichang several times, always while entering or leaving the palace. Each time, he would kneel on one knee to pay his respects. Sometimes she would choose to ignore him, while other times she would steal a glance, meeting his dark eyes that held back intense feelings.

Though she hadn’t actively sought news about Gu Jichang, it was known that he remained unmarried at his age, leading to various rumours circulating in the capital. Some claimed he had been injured in battle and was unable to marry, while others suggested he preferred relationships with men.

Years passed—one, two, and before she knew it, another decade had flown by.

Gu Jichang’s eyes conveyed to Princess Channing that he was still waiting for her. Not only was he waiting, but he also cared for her and her daughter from a distance.

Thanks to Gu Jichang’s tip-off, Princess Channing easily persuaded her daughter, and two months later, the sixteen-year-old Princess Xiaoxiao got married to a good man.

At this time, Princess Channing was already 36 years old, and Gu Jichang was even in his forties.

Now that both of her daughters are married, the princess’s mansion feels empty.

Shen Qingqing, concerned that Princess Channing might feel lonely, invited

Princess Channing frequently to the palace. However, Princess Channing hadn’t crossed paths with Gu Jichang since her daughters’ weddings.

She recalled the letter Gu Jichang had sent her before her second daughter’s marriage, which was only the second one he had written to her in a decade. As she touched the envelope, she sensed that it might contain something awkward, so she tucked it away at the bottom of her box. Two months went by without her opening it.

That night, with a bright moon and a few scattered stars, Princess Channing found herself unable to sleep. Almost as if compelled, she quietly opened the box and retrieved the letter. The moonlight streamed through the window as she pushed it open and began to read.

In the letter, Gu Jichang mentioned that he was heading to the border to fight against the Xiongnu and expressed a feeling that he might not return this time. The letter concluded with just the words “take care” and a familiar little green umbrella sketch.

Late into the night, Princess Channing suddenly heard the sound of raindrops hitting the ground. Confused, she looked down and noticed that the letter was damp, with two tear stains marking the paper.

Another month went by, and there was some good news from the border: the Huns had surrendered.

The following day, when Princess Channing arrived at the palace, Shen Qingqing looked at her and shared another update from the victory report: Gu Jichang had been ambushed while leading his troops in pursuit of the enemy. He was ultimately cornered at the edge of a cliff, where he took his own life by jumping off.

Seeing the concern in her sister-in-law’s eyes, Princess Channing lowered her gaze and sighed, “It’s such a shame for such a remarkable general.”

After returning to the Princess’s Mansion, Princess Channing suddenly fell ill. It was just a minor illness, but once she recovered, she started turning down Shen Qingqing’s invitations and chose to stay indoors.

As winter began, the steward came to inform her that an umbrella maker was outside, eager to see her. He claimed to have a green paper umbrella that the princess would surely love.

A green paper umbrella?

Princess Channing’s heart raced. After taking a moment to compose herself, she replied lazily, “Let him in.”

Fifteen minutes later, the steward returned with a tall man dressed in simple clothes.

Princess Channing sat in the main seat of the hall, cradling a fluffy white cat in her arms. She slightly lowered her head, appearing to be focused on admiring her pet.

“Princess, this is the umbrella maker,” the steward announced.

As he finished speaking, Princess Channing slowly lifted her head.

Standing next to the steward was a tall, imposing man with his eyes cast down respectfully. His face was covered by a thick black beard, but Princess Channing noticed a faint scar at the corner of his right eye.

‘It’s him; it’s really him.’ With a surprise, Princess Chunning asked, “Where is the umbrella?”

The man immediately raised his hands, holding a green paper umbrella.
The steward opened the umbrella and revealed a beautiful lake scene painted on it, featuring a cruise ship and a woman in a white dress holding a green umbrella, glancing back from the boat’s awning. Although the woman’s facial features were not realistic, her pose and expression were so captivating that one could easily imagine her as a stunning beauty.

“Bring it here,” Princess Channing said.

The steward quickly handed the green paper umbrella to her.

Princess Channing stood up, examined it closely, and then nestled under the umbrella. With a smile, she said to the man, “This umbrella is perfect for me. What reward do you seek?”

The man looked up, captivated by the sight of her beneath the umbrella, and replied, “I’m homeless and hoping to find work in the princess’s mansion so I can have a meal.”

Princess Channing smiled and softly agreed, “Alright.”

Later that night, as she lay in bed, her mind was full of thoughts of the umbrella and the man. Suddenly, she heard a knock at the window.

Startled, she quickly realised who it must be.

She slipped on her cloak and quietly approached the window.

The man outside seemed to sense her presence and whispered, “The princess’s maid has taken a drug and will be unconscious tonight. Would the princess kindly allow me to come in for a chat?”

Princess Channing laughed softly, “You’re quite bold.”

Her laughter filled the air, matching the lightness in her voice.

Gu Jichang chuckled, saying, “I can be even bolder.” His words hinted at something, but Princess Channing didn’t mind.

As a mother, she had raised her daughters well and found them good husbands. She felt at peace with her choices. If it weren’t for Gu Jichang, she might have faced a lonely life, but here was a man who had been patiently waiting for her for two decades. Because of him, Princess Channing no longer wanted to be alone.

She stood on her tiptoes and carefully opened the window.

Gu Jichang nimbly climbed in, then shut the window behind him and turned around.

The room was dark, and the two figures—one tall and strong, the other petite and slender—were close together.

Gu Jichang’s voice was rough as he asked, “Have you really made up your mind?”

Princess Channing nodded gently.

He pulled her into a tight embrace, causing her to bump against his solid chest, which stung a bit. “Twenty years. I’ve waited for this day for twenty years.” He held her waist firmly, still in disbelief.

Earlier, Princess Channing didn’t have strong feelings for the man. For the first ten years, she had no idea someone loved her in secret. In the following decade, she was aware of Gu Jichang’s feelings but always thought he might give up on her the next year. Years passed, and she even heard news of his death.

She cried, mourning for herself and regretting the time lost with a man who truly cared for her. She also felt sorrow for Gu Jichang, who had spent twenty years on someone unworthy.

But when he stood before her again, Princess Channing had made her decision. She wanted this man, and from that moment on, she would live for herself.

“Your scar looks like it’s faded a bit.” In the dim light, Princess Channing reached out and gently touched Gu Jichang’s face.

Gu Jichang shivered at her touch, and his throat tightened as he asked, “Do you like it?”

To avoid startling her, he had used a tonne of scar cream.

Princess Channing smiled and nodded in response.

Suddenly, she found herself lifted off the ground as Gu Jichang tossed her over his shoulder and marched toward the bed.

‘What is he planning?’

Princess Channing had an idea and was more than willing to go along with it.

As the curtains fell, Gu Jichang indulged in the moment like a starved beast, savouring every bite.

Princess Channing closed her eyes, feeling an overwhelming sense of satisfaction in this familiar yet new whirlwind.

*****

When the storm finally calmed, it was well past midnight.

Princess Channing lay nestled in his arms. Her small hands absentmindedly brushed against his thick beard. “You should shave it off tomorrow,” she suggested, wanting to see his true face.

Gu Jichang took her hand and pressed a kiss to it. “Not just yet.”

“What do you mean?”

In an instant, Gu Jichang pulled her close, sitting up and wrapping one arm around her waist while cupping her chin with the other. He whispered, “I want to take you away, to a place where no one knows us. I want to marry you openly and have you bear my child.”

This had been his dream for two decades, and he was determined to make it a reality.

‘Leave?’

Looking into Gu Jichang’s loving eyes, Princess Channing nodded.

During the Chinese New Year, she finally left her home and returned to the palace.

After being apart for a while, Shen Qingqing quickly noticed how much Princess Channing had changed. The princess, still in her thirties, remained youthful and stunning, but the spark in her eyes had returned, reminiscent of a peony that had just burst forth from rice paper, vibrant and full of life.

That afternoon, Princess Channing and Shen Qingqing had a long chat.

With the Lantern Festival approaching, families were excited to head out and enjoy the lantern displays. However, tragedy struck when a fire broke out at the princess’s mansion. It was said that one of the many lanterns in her yard burnt, and the flames quickly spread, turning the mansion into a pile of ash.

The following day, news spread throughout the capital that Concubine Chun, once the former emperor’s most beloved consort, had tragically perished in the fire.

In response, the emperor organised a lavish funeral for his unfortunate sister.

On the day of Princess Channing’s burial, her two daughters were inconsolable in their grief.

After the funeral, life in the capital returned to normal.

Shen Qingqing invited her two married nieces to the palace for a private conversation. The sisters were taken aback as they looked at their aunt, the empress.

Taking each of their hands, Shen Qingqing sighed. “She spent ten years waiting for you to grow up. Now she’s finally living the life she desired. Don’t hold it against her.”

The sisters exchanged glances and began to cry.

Their mother had sacrificed so much for them; how could they blame her? All they wished for was her happiness and that the man in her life would treat her well.

As spring arrived once more, Shen Qingqing received a letter.

The paper was blank except for a drawing.

It showed a serene lake with a small courtyard nearby. In the courtyard, a man was chopping wood with his bare and strong arms, and a woman was holding a child and watching with a smile.

The family of three was drawn very small, and their faces could not be recognised.

Shen Qingqing felt a comforting warmth radiating from the painting. After setting it aside, she turned to nestle into her husband’s embrace and let out a gentle sigh, saying, “It’s wonderful.”

Li Zhi bent down and pressed a kiss to her ear, replying, “Absolutely.”

End of chapter 66

End of the story.

Hope you enjoyed the story, and have a nice day!